Everyone's hyper fixation on this 26-year-old, whether being expressed by rhinestoned cowboy hats, YMCA-style dances, and some of the catchiest tunes of our generation, is a cultural phenomenon (femininomenon, if you will) that should not go unnoticed. Hop on the Chappell Roan train (it's glittery)!
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Personally, I've known about Chappell Roan since 2022. Spotify was playing some songs that I had been recommended to listen to based on my past listens, hooking me on "Naked in Manhattan." The song encapsulates the experience of queer teenage love into a "campy" pop tune, hence some of my favorite lyrics "Hair clips and lip gloss/ French kiss sitting criss-crossed" and "Mean Girls, we watch it every night/ And we both have a crush on Regina George".
Roan's common theme throughout her discography is her opening up about her experiences with being openly queer. She explains to TIME Magazine her unique way of expressing herself in an interview, "I think people are getting a little bit more risky, and that's always when great pop music is born. No fear of looking raunchy, or that you're gonna make people upset."
Roan's recent success doesn't surprise me one bit. Her entire brand leans towards a present-day/Gen Z Lady Gaga, so her popularity boost was inevitable. I guess it was just a matter of when it was all going to occur.
The "Pink Pony Club" singer has been involved in the music scene since 2014, starting by uploading YouTube and working her way up to record labels signing her. She would hop from Atlantic Records to Island Records, releasing her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, in 2023. Roan herself was born and raised in the Midwest.
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Sudden Rise To Stardom
Roan would be invited to open for Olivia Rodrigo's GUTS: World Tour in late February, making her presence more known to the general pop fanbases. While she was on tour with Rodrigo, one of my favorite NPR Tiny Desk performances was born. Roan's iconic frilly pink dress, messy half-up half-down-do, and drag queen makeup, accompanied by her immaculate vocal precision, left the general public and critics in awe, witnessing the crowning of a new artist in the 2024 pop hierarchy.
Shortly after Roan would open for GUTS one last time in late April, she would go on to release her yet-to-be-most streamed song of hers, "Good Luck, Babe!". The usage of the bubbly synth and the catchy chorus really makes the song, but a common favorite among listeners was the lyrically inclined bridge that ended with the iconic belted "I told you so!" that Roan never fails to hit in any of her live performances. Coachella was occurring towards the middle of April, and Roan was scheduled to perform on the 12th and 19th. These performances were, statistically, what made her rise to fame be brought to light to the rest of the music industry. The "Casual" singer was gaining around 1 million monthly listeners every couple of days on Spotify and crazy numbers with "Good Luck, Babe!"
Hop on the Trend!
In the age of social media, trends spread overnight, so it's no surprise that Roan's music has attracted some of the most recognizable trends and iconic lyrics in recent months! Here are some fan favorites.
- “HOT TO GO!” Dance - If you plan on attending any events that involve Chappell Roan performing, chances are you are going to hear the fun and flirty song with a spelling-heavy chorus —"HOT TO GO!". An easy dance has been incorporated with this song, fixating your arms to make formations of each of the letters as Roan spells out 'Hot To Go,' creating an atmosphere similar to one you would feel when a bunch of people is doing the 'YMCA' dance. Learn the dance right here!
2. “Red Wine Supernova” Bridge - A definite screamer-favorite at festivals/concerts would be this bridge, it being a… very suggestive (but iconic!) bridge.
3. “Good Luck, Babe!” Dance and Bridge - Although this dance is not as popular as the "HOT TO GO" dance (it should be!), there is a cute dance for the chorus of "Good Luck, Babe!". The bridge of this song also just puts the cherry on top of what is already one of the best songs of the summer, really bringing out Roan's alto/mezzo-soprano range.
4. The masterpiece that “Casual” is - Chappell Roan is just as popular with her 8o's style feel-good pop as she is with her more personal ballads, "Casual" being a perfect example. It has a catchy chorus about "situationships" and shows off her rich alto range.
What's Next for Your Favorite Artist's Favorite Artist?
Yes, there have been talks of a new album, but no definitive release date. At the 2024 Governor's Ball in New York City, Roan surprised the crowd by performing a new song, "The Subway," for the first time, another ballad-y song that can only be described as "Casual's cousin." Everyone getting to finally experience the magic of Chappell Roan puts me at great peace because now everyone knows that she is an icon, legend, and the moment! Below are some of her favorite tracks, including that must-listen-to high note of her yet-to-be-released song "The Subway" that's just showstopping!